「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(261) The Good Fight

Charles' POV

Multiple figures trudged in, filling the enclosed area with menacing and hurried steps but the faces that first enlightened from the shadows were the least that I would expect.

Before I could acknowledge them whatsoever, though, the striking pain frightening me out of bed that night, now several decades left behind, trampled uncannily through my brain again.

Fueled by Lynn's brainwaves, the illusionary dome-shaped chamber came to life and definitely, at the expense of her. The unfiltered psychic feedback certainly maltreated her, not only as its usual unbearable noise but also a physical torture that walloped our heads, and we synchronously grunted, clenching our jaws tightly.

Just as I was about to channel my strength to attempt the creation of another protective screen around her, the rigid cuffs from around my wrists abruptly enlarged, allowing my hands to slip through with ease, and the sudden, high speed, crash towards the ground was a jolting experience that completely diverted my attention.

Hastily striving to break my own fall, I quickly sought to extend my arms backwards but likewise to Lynn, my strained muscles had been stiffened in position, almost incompetent of flexing to execute the simple straightening command, and I buckled clumsily.

"Charles, how are you? Are you alright?" Erik probed anxiously as he readily cradled me in his arms, promptly saving me from plunging dangerously onto the cemented floor, but I shut my eyes, unwittingly neglecting his comments, and eagerly focused my energy on Lynn to forge the defensive shelter she direly required.

"Charles-" Erik prodded again, easily distracting me with his silken accent, and my frustration basically spiralled out of control.

"Just shut up, Erik!" I lashed out wildly, unleashing probably an uncharted level of temper ever witnessed by any of them on site.

As I blew my top, his velvety voice finally ceased, granting me a breath of respite to fixate my powers on Lynn, and thankfully, this time, my methods manifested well.

Successfully constructing a functional barrier between her and the devastating amount of telepathic response discharged from the supercomputer, I exhaled in relief watching Lynn recline comfortably into her chair, flashing an accomplished smile to one she had no idea was not really me.

"I told you, there's nothing to worry about," my fictitious counterpart commended proudly.

"Now, it's time to find our friends," he instructed in a kind tone and I sighed in annoyance as Lynn obediently complied.

"Charles, what's going on?" Erik investigated softly.

Darting my eyes open, I scrutinized his apparently worried features cramped onto to the face residing beneath that unpleasant helmet and his muscular frame, the last I checked was supposedly trapped under a dull inmate's uniform, now cloaked typically in his Magneto suit, a full maroon ensemble topped off with that signature, but frivolous, cape.

"I think I should be the one asking you that. What the hell are you doing out here?" I grilled in dismay.

"She broke me out," Erik revealed gravely, angling his body slightly to unveil a slender silhouette of stark familiarity that was immediately recognisable even before she sauntered into the light.

"Raven?" I blurted in astonishment but my exclamation definitely exuded the impression that I was negatively astounded instead.

"Save the lecture for later," Raven swiftly asserted.

"I thought Stryker needs you to operate Cerebro. Why are you still here?" Raven remarked in a confused tone.

"He took Lynn," I whispered wistfully, gazing sheepishly to the dirt-ridden terrain.